One Big Mistake - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,44

He paused, his jaw working. “Thinking about what could have happened … I realized how much I care about you.”

Her heart leapt with exultation as her eyes misted. “I care about you too.” A smile touched her lips. “More than you could ever realize.” She laughed lightly, wondering if she should tell him about her long-held crush. She bit her lower lip as she studied the rugged lines of his handsome face. In the near darkness, the shadows of his strong jaw were more pronounced.

“What?” he asked softly, leaning closer. She felt a touch of his warm breath on her skin. Her cells tingled with awareness of being so close to him.

Yes, now was the time. She cleared her throat as a heatwave blasted over her cheeks. She was grateful for the darkness, hoping it would hide her red face. “Do you remember the first time you and I met?” She felt more than saw his puzzlement.

“Um, I’m not sure,” he hedged like he was afraid he might give the wrong answer. “I guess it was probably at a concert.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “Nope, not a concert.”

“Okay, I give up,” he chuckled. “Where?”

“The Muscadine Café. Cash and I were on stage performing. You strode into the café with that confident swagger and sat down at a table. My world stopped spinning.” She laughed, remembering. “It was all I could do to get through the song. Then, I about flipped when Cash introduced you as his brother.” A wistful sigh escaped her throat. “I couldn’t believe my rotten luck—the man of my dreams had just waltzed into my life and surprise, surprise he was the brother of the guy I was dating.”

“I’d forgotten about that night.” His tone was musing. “You noticed me then? I had no idea. You were always so prickly. Porcupine on fire is what I used to call you.”

She grunted out a chuckle. “I had to be … to hide my crush.”

“So, you had a crush on me?” Pleasure sounded in his voice. “That certainly sheds a whole new light on the situation.” His words were playful, taunting. She could tell he was getting great pleasure out of her confession. “I kind of like the idea of you crushing on me.”

She shoved his arm lightly. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” A large, pleased grin spread over his mouth. “It’s just good to know.”

“Now you know my secret.” Despite her embarrassment, Hartley was glad that Ramsey knew the truth. She wanted to set a precedent, with them being completely honest with one another.

He cupped her cheek. Tingles fluttered through her when he stroked her skin with his thumb. “If it’s any consolation, I was fighting my own share of attraction to you when I took the assignment of trying to find out who was undermining Cash’s tour. I resented that you were always so hostile towards me. That’s why I was so aggressive towards you. I felt guilty for having feelings for my brother’s ex-girlfriend.” His voice hitched. “I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time.”

“You backed me in a corner, and I came out fighting.”

“Yes, you did,” he said admiringly. “My porcupine on fire.”

“I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted by that description,” she retorted. “I suppose I’ve been called worse,” she uttered. Her breath came faster as her eyes went to his lips. Desire swirled warm ribbons in her stomach, the air crackling with unleashed energy.

“You have no idea how badly I want to kiss you right now,” he murmured in a low, husky tone that evoked an acute longing through her entire body.

“Then, why don’t you?” she whispered.

“I hate to mess up your lipstick.”

“Just shut up and kiss me,” she ordered as his lips came down hard on hers. A rapturous bliss tumbled through her as she absorbed his taste, his feel. Wrapped up in the fiery passion of desire was something meaningful and lasting. She felt a closeness to Ramsey that she’d never felt with anyone before. It was as if her spirit knew that she was finally on the right track.

Ramsey rested his forehead against hers, stroking her cheek. “You are amazing.”

“So are you.” It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that she loved him, but she didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable or rushed. One confession was enough for tonight.

He pulled back, taking in a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”

“I’m ready,” she said with